There are 2 bands that have used the name Dow Jones and Industrials.
Read Full Bio ↴There are 2 bands that have used the name Dow Jones and Industrials.

1. A West Lafeyette, Indiana punk band from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
2. A third wave ska band from Saugus, Massachusetts formed in 1996 and disbanded in 1999.

1. Dow Jones and the Industrials were a punk band from West Lafeyette, Indiana from the late 1970's until about 1981. During this time, they released a split LP with Gizmos, entitled "Hoosier Hysteria", and a self-titled 7" EP. A Track of theirs, "Ladies With Appliances", was also featured on the "Red Snerts" compilation.

Originally, the band consisted of Greg Horn on guitar and vocals, Chris Clark on bass and vocals, Tim North on drums, and Brad Garton (otherwise known as "Mr. Science") on keyboards. The use of a keyboard, and the band's flirtation with electronic sounds, meant that Dow Jones and the Industrials hinted towards the post-punk sound of bands that would follow them.

In 1980, they released two records. Firstly, the split LP "Hoosier Hysteria". This was released on Gulcher Records, and also featured the Gizmos. Secondly, they released a self-titled 7" EP on Hardly Music Records.

In 1981, the band's track "Ladies With Appliances" was featured on the Red Snerts compilation released by Gulcher Records. By this time, Chris Clark had left, to be replaced by Jenny Sweeny on bass. Brad Garton had also left the group. He appeared as "Mr. Science" on the compilation, contributing a track entitled "Mr. Science".

After the demise of Dow Jones and the Industrials, Greg Horn went on to form Tone Set with Galen Herod. During the years 1983 to 1990, he also released two solo cassettes, both in a similar stylistic vein as that of Tone Set. He has also released material under the name Pointless, produced music for Japanese TV commercials, and for Nickelodeon's "Eureeka's Castle".

2. Dow Jones and the Industrials was also the name of a third wave ska band from Saugus, MA. They released three albums between 1996 and 1999. The first was 1997's "How's My Girlfriend Now". In 1998 they released "On The Warpath", possibly the band's most popular album to date. In 1999 they recorded a split CD with If You Say So entitled "All Mixed Up". The band subsequently broke up in 1999 due to growing older and creative differences. Members of the band later went on to form or perform with New Hip Stereo (also known as Jon Frederick Band), Last Born, as well as Big D and the Kids Table.

R2D2
Dow Jones & The Industrials Lyrics

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Motivation and direction are the keywords here.
Both of which I'm lacking but I don't seem to care.
Because everyone's a robot, an accompliss to the scheme:
A motion picture movie; the American Dream.
No way. I'm not giving my life away, so that you can cheat and lie to me and constantly tell me everything's gonna be ok.
I'm taking it for all I can, I'm gonna make the best of this...

Chorus

I just wanna go, I don't wanna stay here anymore.
Stability don't mean a thing to me, but you don't see, they never mattered much to me.

Motivation and direction are the keywords here.
Both of which I'm lacking but I don't seem to care.
Because everyone's a robot, an accompliss to the scheme:
A motion picture movie; the American Dream.
No way. I'm not giving in to all your shit, so that you can cheat and lie to me and constantly tell me everything's gonna be legit.
I'm taking it for all I can, I'm gonna make the best of this...

Chorus

You had 2 strikes, this one makes 3.
I don't know why you had to lie to me.
I'm sick of all this because everything is false.
I don't know when I'm gonna get myself caught.

Repeat Verse 1

Chorus

Overall Meaning

In "R2D2," Dow Jones & The Industrials critiques the American dream as a false construct that has created a society of people who are programmed to follow the same path without any thought of their own desires or motivations. The singer acknowledges that they lack direction and motivation but refuses to subscribe to the societal norm of blindly pursuing the American dream. They see everyone around them as robots, complicit in the scheme of living out a motion picture movie version of the American dream. The singer rejects living their life according to society's expectations and refuses to give their life away to those who would cheat and lie to them.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to break free from the societal constraints that are being placed on them. The singer does not want to stay within the safety of the status quo and stability because that is not where their passion and fulfillment lie. The stability that society offers does not mean anything to them, and they refuse to accept that this is all they should be aiming for in life.

In the second verse, the singer addresses someone who has lied to them, indicating that the system has even seeped into their interpersonal relationships. The singer is tired of the falsity that the American dream has created and afraid that they will eventually get caught up in its web.

Overall, "R2D2" is a critique of the American dream and the societal norms it has created. The singer refuses to conform to society's expectations and instead seeks to live their life based on their own desires and passions.

Line by Line Meaning

Motivation and direction are the keywords here.
Having a clear purpose and drive are important for success.

Both of which I'm lacking but I don't seem to care.
Despite not having these qualities, the singer is apathetic about it.

Because everyone's a robot, an accompliss to the scheme:
People are compliantly following societal norms and expectations.

A motion picture movie; the American Dream.
The idealized concept of success and happiness is like a fictional movie plot.

No way. I'm not giving my life away, so that you can cheat and lie to me and constantly tell me everything's gonna be ok.
The artist refuses to sacrifice their life and happiness for false promises and deceit.

I'm taking it for all I can, I'm gonna make the best of this...
Instead, the singer plans to make the most of their situation.

Chorus
Refrain expressing the singer's desire to leave and lack of attachment to stability.

You had 2 strikes, this one makes 3.
The artist is disappointed with someone for lying or failing previously.

I don't know why you had to lie to me.
The artist is unsure of the reasoning behind the person's dishonesty.

I'm sick of all this because everything is false.
The artist is tired of living in a world where nothing seems genuine.

I don't know when I'm gonna get myself caught.
The singer fears getting in trouble for something.

Repeat Verse 1
The first verse is repeated.

Chorus
Refrain expressing the singer's desire to leave and lack of attachment to stability.

Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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